Wayfinder Family Services

WAYFINDER'S MISSION IS TO ENSURE THAT CHILDREN, YOUTH AND ADULTS FACING CHALLENGES ALWAYS HAVE A PLACE TO TURN. WAYFINDER OPERATES THREE DIVISIONS: 1) CHILDREN AND ADULTS WITH VISUAL IMPAIRMENT AND MULTIPLE DISABILITIES; 2) CHILD WELFARE, WITH A SPECIAL FOCUS ON FOSTER YOUTH WITH HEALTH OR BEHAVIORAL CHALLENGES; 3) MEDICAL AND MENTAL HEALTH FOR CLIENTS IN OUR PROGRAMS. WAYFINDER OFFERS ALL SERVICES AT NO COST TO CHILDREN, ADULTS, AND THEIR FAMILIES, 90 PERCENT OF WHOM ARE LOW INCOME.

LILLIPUT OFFERS A RANGE OF PREVENTION, PLACEMENT, AND THERAPEUTIC SUPPORTS TO CHILDREN, YOUTH AND FAMILIES. THE RESOURCE FAMILY APPROVAL PROGRAM RECRUITS, SUPPORTS AND PREPARES FAMILIES TO MOVE FOSTER CHILDREN TOWARD ADOPTION OR OTHER PERMANENT HOMES. THE KINSHIP SUPPORT SERVICES PROGRAM SUPPORTS GRANDPARENTS, EXTENDED FAMILY MEMBERS OR CLOSE FAMILY FRIENDS WHO STEP UP TO RAISE CHILDREN SO THEY AVOID THE TRAUMA OF SEPARATION FROM THEIR BIRTH FAMILY. POST-ADOPTION SUPPORT SERVICES CONNECTS FAMILIES TO SERVICE PROVIDERS AND PROVIDES A SUPPORT SYSTEM TO REDUCE EMOTIONAL STRESS. FAMILY FINDING SERVICES CONDUCT AN EXHAUSTIVE SEARCH FOR RELATIVES AND PEOPLE CLOSE TO THE CHILD IN FOSTER CARE SO CHILDREN CAN MAINTAIN OR ESTABLISH VALUABLE, SUPPORTIVE FAMILY RELATIONSHIPS. PROMOTING SAFE AND STABLE FAMILIES AND HOME TO STAY PROVIDE FAMILY SERVICES TO PREVENT AT-RISK CHILDREN FROM ENTERING FOSTER CARE. PARENTS WHOSE CHILDREN ARE IN FOSTER CARE RECEIVE SUPERVISED VISITATION AND COACHING SERVICES TO STRENGTHEN PARENTING AND SUSTAIN FAMILY TIES.

GROUP HOMES FOR CHILDREN AND ADULTS - WAYFINDER OPERATES FIVE GROUP HOMES IN SINGLE-FAMILY HOMES, EACH HOUSING UP TO SIX CHILDREN OR SIX YOUNG ADULTS WITH MULTIPLE DISABILITIES. RESIDENTS RECEIVE ROUND-THE-CLOCK CARE. ALL GROUP HOMES ARE CONVENIENTLY LOCATED IN THE SOUTH LOS ANGELES NEIGHBORHOOD NEAR THE WAYFINDER CAMPUS SO THAT YOUNG RESIDENTS CAN ATTEND THE SPECIAL EDUCATION SCHOOL, AND USE WAYFINDER'S RECREATIONAL FACILITIES OR RECEIVE CARE FROM THE 24-HOUR MEDICAL CENTER.

TEMPORARY SHELTER CARE PROGRAM, ALSO KNOWN AS THE COTTAGE, IS A 10-DAY SHELTER ON OUR CAMPUS FOR CHILDREN, AGES 0 THROUGH 17, WHO HAVE JUST BEEN REMOVED FROM THEIR HOMES DUE TO ABUSE OR NEGLECT. THESE CHILDREN NEED TEMPORARY REFUGE UNTIL THEY CAN BE PLACED WITH FAMILY MEMBERS OR FOSTER FAMILIES. OUR PROFESSIONAL STAFF STABILIZE CHILDREN IN CRISIS SO THEY ARE READY TO TRANSITION INTO PLACEMENT. WAYFINDER IS ONE OF ONLY FOUR AGENCIES SELECTED BY THE LOS ANGELES COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF CHILDREN AND FAMILY SERVICES TO PROVIDE THIS SERVICE - AND THE ONLY ONE THAT ACCEPTS INFANTS AND TODDLERS.